The Financial Aid Office assists students and families in locating financial resources to offset the costs of attending college. Financial aid is intended to provide access to higher education by bridging the gap between a family's ability to pay and the total costs of education. The university administers numerous programs to assist students, some of which are awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement. However, many of the federal financial aid programs require the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form (see the general eligibility requirements).

The basic principal of need-based financial aid is that the family is expected to contribute as much as is reasonably possible for an education. The expected family contribution (EFC) is determined from the information a student and the student's family provide on the FAFSA. The financial need is calculated by subtracting the expected family contribution from the total cost of a student's education. NMU is prepared to assist students in meeting financial need by awarding grants, scholarships, employment or low-interest loans.

Basically, there are three types of financial aid: (1) a scholarship or grant which is considered gift aid and does not have to be repaid; (2) a loan, which must be repaid; and (3) work study. Federal, state and university funds are used for financial aid; students’ awards often combine the above types and sources of aid.

Information on specific scholarships, grants and loan programs may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or the Financial Aid Web pages.